Fun Kids’ Gardening Crafts for Wildlife Friendly Gardens

More craft ideas for kids to enjoy that support wildlife in your garden

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Getting Kids Involved

Gardening is a wonderful way for kids to connect with nature, learn about the environment, and express their creativity. Crafting in the garden can also be a great way to make the garden more inviting to beneficial insects, like bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while fostering an appreciation for wildlife conservation. In this article, we’ll explore several fun and easy gardening crafts that kids will love creating, from painted plant pots to birdhouses and hedgehog homes, all designed to make gardens both beautiful and nature-friendly.

Painted Plant Pots:

Adding Color to Your Garden

One of the simplest and most rewarding projects for kids is decorating plant pots! Not only do these painted pots brighten up a garden, but they can also be used to grow plants that attract pollinators by filling them with beautiful bee friendly flowers, such as sunflowers, lavender, or wildflowers. Kids will love expressing their creativity and getting involved in planting in their painted pots too.

Materials Needed:

Clay plant pots
Non toxic outdoor paint or acrylic paint (bright colors work best)
Brushes, sponges, or stamps – you can use stencils too!

Steps:

Start by cleaning the pots to ensure the surface is smooth and free from dirt.
Let the kids pick their favorite colors and patterns. They can use a brush to create abstract patterns or design cute bees, flowers, or animals that represent nature.
Once the paint is dry, fill the pots up with soil, and add in your pollinator friendly flowers, place them outside and water the plants to let them settle in.

Lollipop Stick Plant Markers:

Easy, Eco-Friendly Labels

Lollipop stick plant markers are not only a fun craft but also an incredibly useful one for keeping track of the plants in your bee-friendly garden. Whether you are planting wildflowers or herbs that attract pollinators, these markers will help kids (and you!) remember what’s growing and where, while adding a personal touch to the garden.

Materials Needed:

Lollipop sticks or popsicle sticks
Permanent markers or paint
Small embellishments (optional, like stickers or coloured tape)
Clear varnish (optional)

Steps:

Start by having the kids write the names of plants or flowers that are bee-friendly, like lavender, allium, or daisy, on each stick using a permanent marker.
For a creative touch, let them decorate the sticks with paint or other craft supplies. They can draw bees, flowers, or even little bugs to go along with the plant names.
Once they’re finished, the markers can be sealed with a thin layer of clear varnish to help them last through the weather and stay vibrant.

These lollipop stick markers are a great way to make gardening educational for kids, as they’ll learn the names of different plants while helping to identify which ones are essential for pollinators.

Birdhouses:

Providing a Safe Haven for Feathered Friends

A birdhouse is an essential part of a nature-friendly garden, offering shelter and safety for local birds. By building and decorating a birdhouse, kids can play an active role in creating a welcoming space for local wildlife. Birds not only bring beauty and joy to the garden but also play an important role in pest control, helping to keep insects like aphids under control.

Materials Needed:

Pre-made wooden birdhouse (or supplies to build one from scratch)
Non-toxic paints
Brushes or sponges or stencils
Decorative items (feathers, leaves, ribbons, etc.)

Steps:

If using a pre-made birdhouse, kids can paint and decorate it however they like. It’s best to use non-toxic paint to keep the birdhouse safe for the birds and the environment.
Encourage kids to paint the birdhouse in vibrant colors or nature-inspired designs, such as flowers or leafy patterns.
Once dry, the birdhouse can be hung in a tree or on a post where it will be easy for birds to spot. Be sure to place it in a quiet, safe spot away from predators like cats.

Building a birdhouse not only provides birds with shelter, but it also gives children the opportunity to observe bird behavior, teaching them about wildlife in their own backyard.

Hedgehog House:

A Cozy Home for Garden Friends

Hedgehogs are wonderful creatures that help keep your garden healthy by eating insects and slugs. Unfortunately, they are often in need of safe spaces to hide and hibernate, especially during the colder months. By building a hedgehog house, kids can help provide these spiny little creatures with the shelter they need.

Materials Needed:

Wooden planks or wooden crates
Straw or hay for bedding
Nails or a hammer (adult supervision required)
Leaves, branches, and moss for camouflage

Steps:

Using wooden planks or crates, start building a small, enclosed structure that is just large enough for a hedgehog to crawl into and curl up.
Add bedding inside using straw or hay to make the interior comfortable.
Once the structure is built, camouflage it with leaves, branches, and moss so that it blends naturally into the garden and provides the hedgehog with some privacy and safety.
Place the house in a quiet corner of the garden where it will be left undisturbed.

Not only does this provide a safe haven for hedgehogs, but it also teaches kids about the importance of creating spaces for wildlife and how even small efforts can make a big difference in conservation.

Find out more about helping hedgehogs from the WWF here.

Encouraging Creativity and Environmental Care

These gardening crafts are a great way to engage kids with the natural world, helping them develop both their creativity and their sense of environmental responsibility. Through fun, hands-on projects like painted plant pots, lollipop stick markers, birdhouses, and hedgehog houses, children can become more aware of the importance of supporting local wildlife, especially pollinators and other essential garden creatures.

By encouraging children to create their own nature-friendly garden crafts, you’re not only fostering a love for nature, but you’re also teaching them the value of protecting and supporting the environment and local wildlife for future generations.

Whether you’re looking to spruce up your garden with colorful decorations or create safe spaces for bees and other wildlife, these simple yet impactful projects will make your garden more vibrant and welcoming to nature.

Find more fun garden craft ideas for kids here.